PETERBOROUGH, JULY 18, 2018 - With the legislative session resuming this week, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and Peterborough Chamber wrote to each provincial Cabinet minister, outlining a blueprint to execute over the next four years that will help make Ontario open for business. The OCC’s blueprint includes both policy asks where immediate action is required to support business and foundational recommendations for long-term prosperity.

A key tool to making this province competitive is reducing red tape. The Peterborough Chamber and the OCC believes Premier Ford’s step to create a separate Deputy Minister for Red Tape and Regulatory Burden Reduction is an excellent start in lowering the administrative burden felt by Ontario businesses.

“We are providing all Ministers with a blueprint for steps that can be taken to ensure we are growing Ontario’s economy and building shared prosperity for all,” said Stuart Harrison, President & CEO, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.“These suggestions are grassroots ideas endorsed by the Chamber network across Ontario. Each ministry has a fundamental role to play in making Ontario open for business and we look forward to working with Premier Ford as well as his cabinet in achieving the policy commitments that support businesses across the province.”

The themes that emerged in the OCC and Peterborough Chamber blueprint for making Ontario open for business include:

Fiscal balance: fundamental to economic growth is ensuring that the Government of Ontario’s own fiscal house is in order

Business competitiveness: the most powerful tool in making this province competitive is reducing red tape; we ask that the government prioritize lowering the administrative burden on business and ensure that regulation is streamlined and effective

Investment growth: investing in Ontario through strategic spending is essential to fostering job creation and building healthy and productive communities across the province.

Government accountability: Poor implementation of government initiatives in the past has led to resource waste, mismanagement, and disruption for both businesses and residents.​

“To ensure Ontario’s economy has a strong foundation, business and government must work together to support evidence-based policies. As Ontario’s business advocate, the Peterborough Chamber is committed to working with the Ontario government to ensure the public policies introduced contribute to a competitive business environment as well as the economic and social well-being of our province,” added Harrison.